I’ve been a fan of Helen Rolfe’s for a long time now, enjoying many great books, wonderful characters and settings. Written in the Stars is the second book in the Skylarks series – stories based around an air ambulance team in Dorset.

I loved the first book, Come Fly With Me, so was eagerly awaiting this one and it didn’t disappoint. Whilst it was nice to catch up with the characters of the first book, this time the focus was on Bess – critical care paramedic on the team.

Bess lost her Dad a few years ago, since then she has been living (and spending money) like each day is her last. She has got herself in quite a mess but doesn’t know what to do. Shes proud and when reality hits, she needs to find support from somewhere but isn’t quite sure where.

Gio is a friend of Bess’. He is a firefighter and is also keeping parts of his life from others; having an alcoholic mother means his childhood wasn’t great, he cannot trust her even though he does still want to. When she turns up to stay with him, he gives her one chance but is convinced she will revert to type.

Gio has a great friendship with Bess, but as both their lives start unravelling in different ways, can they help each other, and will they both acknowledge their feelings for one another after all this time Both Gio and Bess learn that they must move forwards and not let the past dictate their present, put trust in people and be willing to follow their hearts.


A cosy, seasonal romance that has drama and heart, highly recommended.

This was supposed to be a romance book but it didn’t really have much of that. It was a very emotional read that I honestly wasn’t prepared for. I was looking forward to a lovey dovey book and this just wasn’t it. The two main characters, Bess and Gio, are going thru a lot of emotional trauma and they then lean on each other thru support to get thru their trauma. It did have good character development I was just hoping for more.

I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I didn’t have an intimate knowledge of how air ambulances worked. As it was, I found this sadly lacking.

The romance was pretty much non-existent, there was no relationship building, instead, you get a couple of snippets of the past showing that the two main characters previously shared a house. The author relies on the reader to fill in the blanks and a lot is assumed in regards to the current relationship/romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

**Written in the Stars** by Helen Rolfe is a beautifully crafted romance that explores love, destiny, and the magic of chance encounters. Set in a charming town where the stars seem to align for those seeking connection, Rolfe’s story follows characters who are on a journey of self-discovery and finding love when they least expect it. With heartfelt moments and a sense of serendipity, the novel delves into the idea that some things are simply meant to be. Rolfe’s evocative writing and well-drawn characters make **Written in the Stars** a captivating and uplifting read, perfect for fans of romantic tales that celebrate the power of fate and the beauty of human connection.

I loved following even more characters from Whistle Stop River! This series is one I have enjoyed since my husband and I have both worked in the medical field and he is a firefighter. Bess and Gio had some of the best banter and I think that is because they have been friends for so long. This book touched some tough subjects but definitely brought to light some of the struggles people face every day that we may not be aware of!

Marketing this book as romantic was not the move. If you are looking for women's fiction dealing with family trauma, financial issues, and the most minuscule amount of romantic subplot, then this may be a good pick for you.

I honestly loved this book so much. This author is amazing. Loved the two characters as well as Marianne, I was routing for her!

A fab book. I hope there’s more in the series.

I love to read romance books set in the Christmas time. It's the most magical time of the year, after all. :) But this one didn't hit the spot.

It's not that something is wrong with the book, I just couldn't get into it. A case of it's not you, it's me, book edition. :)

It has a lot going for it, friends to lovers, small-town romance, dual POV, sweet romance, and Christmas-time setting, of course.

Bess and Glo have been friends for a long time. They both a very stressful jobs and on top of that their personal lives are not peach either. The romance slowly developed, as their friendship deepened.

It's part of the series, but you can read it as a stand-alone, too.

Lovely story, just not for me.

Helen Rolfe has done it again, she has drawn me in, got me hooked, spun me around and always make me happy about it, she always manages to pull every emotion possible from me for these amazing characters I love and leave me on the edge of my seat desperate for a happy ever after, but she always delivers more than I could ever want.

Bess and Gio are friends, both are first responders, things are about to get more complicated for them than their usual days already are, including financial burdens and a potentially career-altering injury, Helen Rolfe handles these difficult issues with such a delicate hand and so beautifully compassionate, I loved how much she clearly cares about her characters and these issues.

This is such a lovely and thoroughly emotional read, not just the issues mentioned but also family difficulties for both of them, I loved how Bess finally reveals her situation to her mum and how beautiful a moment it is. This story is full of heart, as well as being emotional it still has ther perfect measure of happiness, joy and that Christmas spirit , that spark of magic !

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a cozy, wonderful book. I enjoyed reading it!

Bess is a critical care paramedic with the Skylarks air ambulance but, since the death of her father and a health scare, she's been treating herself a bit too much. Now with the bills piling up, and trying to hide it from her mother, she's starting to get really worried.

Gio is a firefighter and loves his job more than anything, but when his alcoholic mother is trying to reconnect with him and he has an accident that leaves his job uncertain, can he sort himself out and find happiness?

It's a gentle book, told from both Bess and Gio's sides (third person). It's nice, I enjoyed it, nothing dramatic and fairly predictable, but a lovely read under a blanket with a cuppa.

Review also posted to Goodreads but unable to link account.

Beautifully written as usual, I enjoy the way Helen writes and how she brings her characters to life, I was hooked from start to finish. Thank you.

This was a very entertaining book but not what I was expecting. I wanted more on the romance and less on all the other characters and issues that were covered in the story.

Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book 2 in the Skylark series. Although it stands alone, I read them in order and will read book 3 when its out. Neither book ends in a cliffhanger.

Little bit of romance, with ups and downs, emotional and depressing but still good book. Didn't regret reading it.

Bess a paramedic, Gio a firefighter have been friends along time. But when life happens and it starts to fall apart, they put up walls around their hearts....continue reading to find out if love wins or heartache.

It's time to take to the air again with Written in the Stars, the second book in Rolfe's Skylarks series. If you're unfamiliar with the Skylarks they are the Whistlestop River Air Ambulance team.

As with all of Rolfe's books it's written in her inimitable style and is heartwarming from beginning to end. It's filled with friendship, family and before I forget...a dishy firefighter in the shape of Gio...and the burgeoning romance between him and Bess.

The characters are all wonderful as always. Our catch up was long overdue! Told from the POV of both Bess and Gio, Rolfe delights with another gorgeous addition to the series.

Highly enjoyable and an absolute delight to read.

Thank you #netgalley and Helen Rofle for the opportunity to read this book.

Absolute swoon over Gio!
Reading about his traumatic childhood was sad, but reading how much of a kind human being he developed into as an adult was heart warming. He is a kind, gentle soul who has the potential to shower the right person with so much love. Is he capable of love and forgiveness?

Bess, oh Bess Bess Bess. What a beautiful woman with everyday issues that are very common in this current economy. She has such a big heart and I can understand the mess she got herself in to.

I really enjoyed this book. I really love how Helen addressesd the complexities of life and how the characters addressed them and grew from them. It wasn't just a love story, it was about friends, family, forgiveness and most of all growth.

Bess is a paramedic, but not just any paramedic, Bess is a critical care paramedic with the Air Ambulance. A 40 year old with a habit most people have experienced. She is living to work to help get herself out of a shit situation. Gio is Bess' oldest friend and a fire fighter. An accident happens that opens up both their eyes and vulnerability. Read as they navigate through their issues together and on their own.

Trust me, it is so worth it in the end.

Had not realised that this is the second book in the Skylark series, so I hadn't encountered the characters before. But that didn't make a difference, as though are so easy to get to know and the tale is so well told. I found the medical details very professional and well described. Am looking forward to hopefully another tale in this series soon

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The next in the Skylarks series we meet Bess, a critical care paramedic, and Gio, a dedicated firefighter. Bess’s motto of living each day to the fullest is starting to catch up with her as her carefree choices lead to mounting debts, while Gio’s life is shaken by the unexpected return of his estranged mother and a career-threatening accident. Despite the challenges they face on the job, a spark of connection between them offers hope for a new beginning. As snow starts to fall over Whistlestop River, Bess and Gio must decide if they’re ready to trust each other with more than just saving lives.

Second book in the skylark series, slightly more depressing than the first but an enjoyable book. Two broken people hoping to fix each other. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy